What would it be like to make an espresso on a commercial flight, at over 10,000 meters above sea level? In November, TikTok user Ozan Cetinkaya, a self-described home barista in Quebec, posted a video with the caption “Making coffee at 10,668 meters,” taking the concept of “coffee to go” to an unusual level. The recording has already exceeded 1.7 million views and has more than 5.1 thousand likes on the platform.
In the footage, Cetinkaya is seen sitting in a window seat on an airplane, pouring coffee beans from a vacuum bag into a manual grinder. He then transfers the powder into a portable coffee machine, activated via an app on his cell phone, and pours himself an espresso during the flight.
The video also generated an intense response in the comments. The most liked message, with 14.9 thousand likes, ironizes the scene: “Being unbearable at 10,668 meters of altitude”. Other users joked about the situation, suggesting bringing portable grills into the cabin or reporting the discomfort of smelling fresh coffee without being able to drink it. “My seatmate’s nightmare,” wrote another user.
Although it is generally permitted to carry small portable coffee machines in carry-on baggage, permission depends on the size of the equipment, the type of device and the rules of each airline. More compact models are generally accepted, while larger ones may need to be shipped due to weight and dimension restrictions.
/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_da025474c0c44edd99332dddb09cabe8/internal_photos/bs/2025/r/T/M7WCqzSnSS7h05AcWzjA/cafe.jpg)
Ideally, the equipment should be clean, with no liquids inside, and in the case of battery-powered devices, it should be charged and ready to be turned on if the inspection requires it.
According to a Daily Mail investigation, on social media forums, passengers reported different experiences. One user claims to have taken a Nespresso machine on several flights, the only requirement being to manually check the contents of the bag. He said the device’s internal coils can look suspect in X-rays. Another pointed out that the size depends on the size of the machine and that compact models tend to be accepted.
About The Author
